UVa-Wise to Host World AIDS Day Event Dec. 1

Light a candle and help eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. The Wise County Health Department, in conjunction with the Center for Student Development at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, will host a candlelight vigil in observance of World AIDS Day on December 1. This event is open to the public and will be held around the lake on the UVa-Wise campus beginning at 6:00 p.m.

World AIDS Day is recognized annually on December 1 to bring messages of compassion, hope, and understanding to every country of the world. It is a day of observance to expand and strengthen the worldwide effort to stop HIV infection. Live and Let Live is the slogan for World AIDS Day 2003 to increase awareness of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination are major factors fuelling the global HIV epidemic, creating a climate of fear and ignorance and a reluctance to confront rising infection rates. From the moment that HIV/AIDS was identified, discrimination has spread rapidly, stimulating prejudice against those living with HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS does not discriminate against individuals based on characteristics such as race, age, education, and sex. HIV/AIDS does not care who you are, but what you do. According to statistics, five people worldwide die of AIDS every minute of every day. It is said that HIV has hit every corner of the globe, infecting more than 42 million men, women and children, 5 million of them last year alone. Discouraging as it may be, half of the worldÕs new HIV infections occur in people under the age of 25. Therefore, the need for education is great.

The red ribbon, commonly worn on Dec. 1, symbolizes the battle waged by many against HIV/AIDS. Red ribbons are a symbol of hope that the AIDS epidemic will be over, that the sick will be healed and the stress on our society will be relieved. Wearing the ribbon on December 1, or on any day, shows compassion for people with AIDS and their caregivers, support for education and the effort to find effective treatments, vaccines, or even a cure.

Wear a red ribbon, pick up a candle, and take up the challenge to do something in your community to lessen the impact of HIV infection -- join us on Dec. 1 at 6:00 p.m. on the campus of UVa-Wise. For more information, contact Heather Edwards at 276-386-1312.